Two planning applications (Arbury Court and Campkin Rd)

Two to talk about this time:

There has been an application for the "installation of 2 fascia signs and 6 printed vinyl signs (non-illuminated)" at 46 Arbury Court. The reference number is 09/0640/ADV.

The other one is for a "Single storey front extension" to 12 Campkin Road. The application is 09/0628/FUL.

As usual to get more information you can see the plans by visiting City Homes at 171 Arbury Road, or Milton Road Library or the Guildhall. More details, including how to comment on the applications and opening times, is available from the Development Control web pages.

As usual get in touch if you have any problems.

Out and about with the Graffiti team

I was out with the graffiti removal team from the City Council yesterday.

We removed graffiti from various places mostly in King's Hedges, including the bus stop on Campkin Road. It was very interesting to see how the team works.

Whilst removing some graffiti we spotted some that haven't been reported yet and treated them as well.

However the City rely on getting information from residents. If you see any graffiti please let the team know by calling 457000, or by emailing Street Scene. Whichever way you do try to describe fully where the tag is as that makes the job a lot easier and reduces the risk of it being missed. The City will then clean it up and pass on the details to the police.

In case of difficulty contact the team!

Today I was out with the kerbside recycling collectors.

Free bus travel!

We received this from Stagecoach, are you interested?

Do you travel into Cambridge using a Stagecoach bus?

If so, then you could benefit from half price travel by volunteering to take part in Stagecoach’s smartcard trial. A smartcard eliminates the need for paper tickets - you simply add your Megarider onto your
smartcard and then scan your card against the reader every time you board a bus.

Stagecoach have recently installed smartcard readers across their fleet and are looking to begin a trial into the use of smartcards in Cambridge in the next few weeks.

The trial is open to customers who purchase Stagecoach weekly or 4-weekly tickets (including Park & Ride Weekly, Megarider or Megarider Plus).

What’s in it for you?
Stagecoach are offering all participants 1 free week of travel plus a minimum of 3 further weeks at half price.

What does Stagecoach want in return?
For you to complete a journey diary every week - if you participate in the trial you will be sent a ‘diary’ to complete. In this diary you will need to record all the journeys you make during the week, including
where you get on and off the bus. The purpose of Stagecoach running the trial is to enable them to ensure that the entire smartcard process is running smoothly before the cards are rolled out to a wider audience.
The feedback you provide through your diary gives them the data they need to complete this process. Please note, failure to complete and return the diary will result in your smartcard being cancelled.

How do I get involved?

1. Send an email to info@love-cambridge.co.uk saying you would like to participate in the trial along with your postal address and the bus service you use. Given the time of year, please also include the dates of any holidays you have booked in August and September so Stagecoach can be made aware of these as the trial can work around them.
   
   
2. Your details will then be forwarded to Stagecoach who will then contact you directly for the period of the trial.
   
   
3. You will receive a ‘Trial Pack’, direct from Stagecoach, which will include your diary, instructions, plus 1 smartcard with 1 week’s free travel loaded onto it.

The trial is open to a limited number of participants and offered on a strictly first come first served basis.

Recycling Getting Easier: Blue Bins

This is the first time we've mentioned it on the Blog, but you may have seen it in Cambridge Matters or at the stand at Arbury Carnival.

The City Council is changing how we collect kerbside recycling to try and increase the amount we collect and hopefully make it easier for residents to recycle more.

The change is to drop the boxes and introduce a third blue wheelie bin. You may have seen the argument about the colour in the Cambridge News! Other cities have introduced similar schemes: I know Derby has a three bin system.

At this stage the City Council are keen to hear from people where the third bin may not be possible. On their website we have a list of places we know may be a problem. If you think there may be an issue where you live check the list and if you aren't on it get in touch with the council by email or through the website.

Where there isn't space we have a range of options that need to be discussed with residents.

Of course if your are worried you can also get in touch with one of the team: in this case it might be best to contact me.

Speed Survey: Northfield Avenue

At the last North Area Committee it was agreed that Northfield Avenue along with King's Hedges Road would be subject to a "speed survey" sometime in the near future. Once the survey has been completed we will have one whole weeks worth of traffic data for these two main roads which will enable us to put a much stronger case to the Conservative-controlled County Council for some form of speed reduction/ traffic calming in this area (as requested by numerous local residents).

Watch this space ...

PS. You can still sign the petition to have a 20mph speed limit on Northfield Avenue outside the school. The link is here. The more signatures the more weight we have with the County Council!

Planning applications on Garry Drive

There are two planning applications on the weekly list in Garry Drive.

At number 9 there is an application for "Erection of a two storey rear extension and a loft conversion with a dormer to the side of the property", and at number 11 a "First floor rear extension".

The reference numbers are 09/0608/FUL for number 9 and 09/0607/FUL for number 11.

More information is available from the City Council development control page, or in case of difficulty contact one of the team.

Coaches On Woodhead Drive

Good News! Since being elected last month I've been working to solve an issue raised during my campaign with coaches using Woodhead Drive as a drop off/collection point. The Cambridge Cycle Campaign raised a safety issue regarding the volume of traffic and the suitability of the road (as can be easily seen here) and the Coaches were also causing inconvenience to local residents.

As I said during my campaign the first point of call was to identify and contact the company organising the coaches. Fortunately with some help from Neale Upstone and a local resident the company was quickly identified. I've been in touch with them and they have agreed to stop using Woodhead Drive from the end of August. Unfortunately they can't stop immediately as booklets specifying this site have already been printed and sent out to Europe.

If there is something concerning you locally you don't have to wait until an election is due; we're here working for you all year round just let us know.

Another Ramsden Square application

The weekly list of planning applications is out, and for the first time in a while it has a King's Hedges application.

There is an application for a "single storey rear extenstion" at 5 Ramsden Square. The application is number 09/0549/FUL.

More information is available from the City Council development control website including how to see and comment on the plans.